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«Contrary to what the Spanish minister says [Arancha González Laya], there has been no contact between Morocco and Spain since the outbreak of this crisis», Moroccan Foreign minister Nasser Bourita said on Sunday regarding the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
This statement comes after the secret reception of the Polisario leader in a hospital in the Iberian kingdom on April 18, then the impressive exodus of 8,000 people to Ceuta at the beginning of the week. Interviewed by Europe Soir, on radio network Europe1, he insisted that «contrary to what [González Laya] says, Morocco has never been informed of the arrival of this individual».
«Spain has created a crisis and wants Europe to assume it», said the minister, suggesting that we should not highlight a so-called migration crisis to distract from the basic problem.
«The problem is poorly posed: it is as if Morocco had an obligation to act to protect Europe (…) Morocco does so as a partner; and the partnership has foundations. Partnership is reciprocal. It is based on an understanding of the interests of each other (…) You cannot plot in the evening against the partner and ask them the next day to be loyal».
A crisis of confidence and not a migration one
Nasser Bourita recalled that Spain did not consult the European Union «before making decisions that affect the interests of Morocco». «Spain did not consult Europe, even before going beyond Schengen rules to accept the entry, fraudulently, of a person wanted by Spanish courts», recalled the minister.
The minister referred to the Ceuta situation as «a political crisis between two partners» for which Spain is responsible, rejecting the accusations of Morocco supposedly «opening the migration floodgates» in the event of disagreement with Spain, a direct European partner.
«In four years, Morocco dismantled 8,000 human trafficking cells, 14,000 illegal migration attempts including 80 towards the city of Sebta», detailed Nasser Bourita. He therefore rejects the Madrid position which saw in these massive arrivals an «aggression» and a migratory «blackmail». To him, «good neighborliness is not a one-way street» and «is not a responsibility of Morocco and a freedom of its partners to act against its interests».
The minister recalled that Morocco had «no obligation to act». «Morocco is neither the gendarme nor the concierge of Europe. It does so as a partner», on the basis of Moroccan-European cooperation between Rabat and Brussels as well as «understanding each other's interests», he insisted.
Spain will gain by not exfiling Brahim Ghali
By the same token, Nasser Bourita affirmed that the border situation in Ceuta does not change Moroccan relations with the European Union. However, he criticized Madrid for its «hostile attitude» which fuels a «problem of confidence». On the outcome of this crisis, Bourita insisted that it is up to Madrid to «find the solution».
Finally, the Foreign minister recalled that «if Spain thinks that the crisis could be resolved by exfiltrating the gentleman [Brahim Ghali] by the same procedures, they would be worsening the crisis, or even lead to rupture».
«Today, Morocco asks simple questions: is it normal, in a state governed by the rule of law, to act towards a partner like Morocco, by forging a passport, usurping an identity to bring in someone into European territory ?»
The minister also referred to the four complaints for which Brahim Ghali will be heard in court : «A complaint of rape of a Spanish citizen, a complaint for terrorism from an association of victims of Spanish terrorism, a complaint for torture», in addition to that of kidnapping of a Spanish citizen of Sahrawi origin. For the record, the leader of the separatist movement will appear on June 1 before the Spanish high court, the Audiencia Nacional.
